Magazine-rocket



R. H. GDDARD.

MAGAZINE ROCKET. APPucfmon men nov. 2.1.911..

Patented May 25, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

` H. H. GODDARD.

MAGAZINE ROCKET. 4APPLlc/mon FILED Nov. 12. 1911.

1,341,053. Patented May 25, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

...Wm y /weywf R. H. GODDARD.

MAGAZINE ROCKET. Y APPucmoN FILED Nov. 12. 19|?.

Patented May 25, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

hcitizen of the Unit portant feature of my yUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT H.` GODDARD, F WORCESTER, MASSACUBETT8.\

MAGAzINn-aocxnr 1,341,053. Specification of Letters Patent PatentedfMay 25, 1920.

Application illed November 12, 1917. Serial No. 201,472. i

To all whom t may concern.' Be it known that I', ROBERT H. Goeman, a

ed States residing at orcester in the count of orcester and State of Massachusetts and useful Magazine-ocket, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionv relates to a magazine rocket of the type in which a plurality of Lrelatively small charges of explosive are4 fired successively, the firing chamber being automatically reloaded after each 'charge is of rocket is fired. One form of this tyie P N atent o.

shown in my prior U. 1,103,503 dated July 14, l1914:. It is the eneral obect of my present invention to improve the details of construction and method of operation of such maga zine rockets to the end that more accurate and reliable results'may be attained by their use particularly for purposes of war.

With this general object in view, an imtlie provision of cartridge feeding means so designed that the balance of the' rocket is substantially preserved during the entire AHight of the rocket. This is a matter of great importance as the flight of an unbalanced rocket is erratic and the desired objective can not be `accurately attained. In the preferred embodiment of my invention this desirable result is attained by feeding thef cartrid es alternatel from diametrically op ,ose ma azine tu es. f-

nother eature of my invention concerns the provision of an axially rotatable car-V tridge magazine having Aa plurality of magazine tubes therein, and to the'further provision of means for advancing the magazine angularly as soon as a air of opposed tubes are emptied of cartri ges. l

Additional features of my invention relate to supporting devices for the firing chamber which permit limited axial movement thereof with the breech block, to means on the breech block for deilecting any-escap ing gases rearwardly, and releasing devices to improved locking .for controlling the feed from the operatively positioned magazine tubes, to improved magazine constructions, and to other novel arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ave invented a new vand 6 6 of Fig. l

yinvention relates to s the line l6 16 in iication.

A preferred form of m invention is shown in the drawin in w ich Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of my improvedmagazine rocket;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation taken in a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 1;

F igs.3, 4, 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken along the lines 3 3, 4 4, 5 5, Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the'cartridge feeding mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view f the cartridge transferring devices, and the 'slide upon which they are mounted;

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the grooved su port for the slide;

igs. l0 and 11 are detail views, of the devices for reversing the action of the transferring device after each movement 'of the breech block;

Fig. 12 is tridges, partly broken away to show the interior construction;

ig. 13 is a partial sectional side elevation in the plane of Fig. 2 showing the device'forstarting the fresh cartridge` into the iiring chamber;

Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 14 14 in Fig. l; Fig. 15 is a similar view showing a'modiication inv which a double magazine is used;

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation taken along Fig. 15;

, Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 17 17 in Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of aportion of a magazine tube showing the follower for the upper cartrid e; Y Fig. 19 is a perspective view of said follower;

Figs.` 20, 21, 22 and 23 are detail views of elements to be described;

Fig. 24 (Sheet 1) `is devicesv controlling the firing of the last cartridge after' the magazine is emptied;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the combustion chamber and cartridge, showing a slight modification, and

Fig. 26 is a sectional vview of another modi- Figs. 1 and 2. my improved Referring to comprises an outer casing magazine rocket a side view of one of the car-- a side elevation of the or tubular member 30 having acombustion chamber 31 supported therein. The chamber 31 ismova y mounted upon cross bars 32 and 33 (Fig. 3,) rigidly secured to` the casing 30 and also connected together by bolts 34. The kcombustion chamber 31 has an annular flange 35 normally engaging a ring 36 of rubber or other suitable material resting upon the bar 33 and acting as a shock absorber. A coil s ring 37 is interposed be tween the up er sidi); of the flange 35 and the under side o the cross bar 32 and yieldingly holds the combustion chamber in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This spring permits a slight upward movement of the chamber 31 a ter each explosion, such movement being limited by a flan e 38 near the top of the combustion cham er which engages the cross bar 32 as the chamber rises.

breech block 40 is mounted for axial movement above the combustion chamber 31 the block being shown in artially raised position in Figs. 1 and 2. e lower end of the breech block presents a conical form' ada ted to fit the Haring upper end of the com ustion chamber, thus closing the chamber at the instant of explosion but being readily separated therefrom. l .have determined by e2; eriment that the separation of the breech b ook and combustion chamber may be attained with much less strain upon l the parts by-permitting the chamber `to rise slightly with the' breech block until the maximum pressure of the gases has been somewhat reduced.

Above the conical lower end nof the breech `block I provide an annular lanzj42 poy tol e-,

j cting outwardly and downwar fleet from the magazine any hot gases which may esca e from the upper .end of the combustion c amber. v l The cartridge-engaging surface of the breech block is corrugate (Fig. 2) to permit access of a plentiful supply of air to the ignited cartridge.

A cartridge '43 is hown in firing osition in Fig. 2 and is shown in detail in ig. 12.

it is also desirable to within the cartridge be ow the ends'of the vThe preferred form of cartridge as at present constructed comprises a pluralityof rods 44 of cordite ,or-.other similar explosive surrounded by a'thin sheath 45 of solid smokeless powder. -This sheath 45 is preferably perforatedfas. indicated, to irrcrease the rapidit of combustion. A wadrding 46 is secure to the lower end of the sheath 45 and lace a felt pad 47 rods 44. To secure prompt ignition a small amount of rapidly-burning powder 48 is placed in the.k upper end of the cartridge around a rece tacle 49 formed of solid smokeless ow er,and` containing fiulminate 50. It wil thus appear that the entirecartridge with the-exception of the wedding 46 and felt pad 47 is of explosive material so that 'practically the'entire weight of the cartridge is available for propulsion.

Reference tc Fig. 2 shows that the cartiid re is of somewhat less diameter than the com ustion chamber 31 so that when centered by the breech block a clear s ace is provided entirely around the wall of t e cartridge. It has been found b `experiment that the provision of this annu ar space prevents the deposit of residue upon the walls of the combustion chamber after the explosion of the cartridge. It also enables me to increase the amount of ,explosive used ina combustion chamber of given strength, without reducing Vthe 'efficiency of the rocket. In Fig. 25 I have shown a slight modilication in which similar results are obtained but in which the cartridge is supported by iding ribs 31a which make linecontact on y with the cartridge. y

The breech block 40 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided with a shank 51 sildably mounted in a sleeve 52 extending .downward from a shell 53. `Vlhen my improved rocket is used for pur yoses of war the shell 53 may be filled wit shrapnel or other explosive material and may be rovided with a' timing device as hereinafter escribed for exploding the shell after any desired interval. The shell 53 is guided `in its longitudinal movement by ribs 53 (Fig. 14) fixed thereto and `engaging guides 53" mounted onV the inside of an iny i ner casing 530 (Figs. 1 and 18) surrounding the shell 53. The shank 51 `of the breecli block 40 is provided with a key-way 54 (Fig. 1) and is held within the sleeve 52 b a pin 55 extending into vsaid key-way. heavy coil spring 56 within the sleeve 52 engages the u per end of the shank 51, holding the shan firmly against the stop pin 55.

A irin pin 57 (Fig. 42) is slidably mounted in the reech block40 and is normally held upward by a light coil spring 58. Above the shell 53 is1 a heavy coil sprin 59, the upper end of which engages a l"p ate '60 secured within the conical ca'p of the rocket.

I have found itdesirable'to use a breech` block of consider ble weight, 'and by the lined I am enabled to utivmoment of explosion,` the spring permitting -asli ht further downward movement of the she 53 f after the blockis seated and ,thus providing maximum resistance at the'moment of greatest chamba pressure. The combustion chamber `shou d be asl light as is permissible, so that the greater part of the energy of the ing` will reside in the breech block.

A groove 61 (Fig. 1) is formed in the casing 30 and a ring of fulminating material 62 is provided in the bottom of the roove 61. This material is thus protected rom accidental contact but may be readily engaged b the firing pin of a rocket firing device suc for instance, as is shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 201471, iiled on even date herewith. Upon the `firing of the fulminate 62, explosive charges 63 contained in pockets in the casing may be Aignited to induce reliminary rotation of the rocket as fully escribed in my prior patent N o. 1,102,653 dated July 7, 1914. At the same timey a fuse 64 is ignited which extends downward to the lower end of the casing 340and there enters the funnel-sha ed nozzle of the combustion chamber. he fuse 64 extends through the wadding of the first cartridge to the explosive therein and this first cartridge is accordingl exploded b the timed action of the fuse. ucceedin c ar es are exploded by the firing pin 57 whic continues its downward movement after the seating of the breech block, thus striking the fulminate in the upper end of the' cartrid e in the combustion chamber and exploding the charge. y

The cartridges 43 are.carried in magazine tubes or compartments 65 (Figs. 6 and 14) formed by concentric shells 66 and 67, and intermediate partitions 68. These shells and partitions form a magazine structure which is rotatably supported upon a plurality of rollers 69 having fixed bearings and extending around the greater portion of the circumference of the rocket. These rollers support the lower end of the magazine and also support the cartridges contained therein.

In Fig. 15 I have indicated a double magazine structure in which inner and outer magazine members are used, each member being constructed substantially as above described.

At diametrically opposed points in the casing, magazine extensions 70 and 71 (Fig. l) are provided through which the released cartridges pass to the transferring devices which will now be described. The transferring devices comprise a pair of holders 72 and 73 (Fig. 8), fixed to a slide 74 and each comprising two separable spring arms forming a cylindrical tube having a flaring upper end. The slide 74 is mounted to move transversely in guide ways formed in a frame 75 rigidly secured to the casing 30. A stud 76 extends from the back side of the plate 74 through a slot 77 in the frame 75 and is engaged by a slotted arm 78 (Fig. 7) of a three-armed lever 78 pivoted upon a brace 79 (Fig. 4) fixed to the recoil immediately after fir-` breech vmust be reversed, to thereby present the car- Vengagement with a stop casing 30. The horizontal arms 78b of the lever 78 are connected by wires 80 and springs 81 to slides 82 having projecting lugs 83 adjacent the path of the shell 53.

A bar 84 (Fi 10) is secured to the lower end of the shel 53 by screws 85 extendin through slots in said bar. A spring-pressed plunger 86 in the shell 53 is positioned to engage one or the'other of notches 87 in the bar 84, thus yieldingly retaining the bar in one or the other of its two operative positions.

After an explosion in the combustion chamber, the breech block and shell will rise and one end of the bar 84 will engage a lug 83, thus producing upward movement of the corresponding spring 81 and wire 80, and swinging the lever 78 to move the slide plate 74 to one or the other of its extreme posi-` tions, in which it is yieldingly retained by a stud 740 (Fig. 8)engaging one of two depressions 7 50 (Fig. 9) in the frame 75. With the parts as shown in Fig. 7, the holder 72 will be positioned to receive-a cartridge from the magazine extension 71, and the holder 73 will position its cartridge for insertion into the combustion chamber 31.

Upon the next upward movement of the block the movement of the slide 74 tridge in the holder 72 for insertion in the combustion chamber and to move theholder 73 into position to receive a fresh cartridge from the magazine. Such reversal of movement is accomplished by changin the operativeposition of the bar 84 so t at it will engage the opposite lug 83 and move the lever 78 in the opposite direction.

For reversing the position of the bar I provide a pair of pivoted dogs 88 (Fig. 11) each mounted upon a fixed. bracket 89 and held in in 90 Aby a light spring 91. As the breech lock 40 and shell 53 rise the dogs will swing idly upward without affecting the position of the bar 84. The outer ends of said bar are beveled as shown in Fig. l() and upon the descent of the breech block and Vshell the one pro`ecting end of the bar will engage one of the dogs 88 and will thus be moved transversely Vof the shell 53, thereby reversing the position of the bar 84, and consequently reversing the operation of the transferring device above described.

The spring construction of the holders 72 and 7 3 permits the two parts of the holder positioned above the combustion chamber to separate when engaged' by the descending breech block, as shown in Flg. 1, thus permitting the continued downward movement of the breech block and releasing the cartridge contained in the holder.

I will now describe the devices for releasing the cartridge in one of the magazine extensions 70 and 71 when one of the holders plate 93 being a lost-motion connection inclixding a slot 95 in the plate. Thisy plate 93 is normally held in operative position by a spring 96: A link 97 connects the arm 92a to a lever 98 pivoted to the casing at 99 and' drawn'downward by a tension spring 100. The levers 98 are ositioned for engagement by the corresponding cartridge hol ers 72 or 73 asthe slide 74 moves transversely in its guide 75. When the holder 72 is positioned eneath the magazine extension 70 the corresponding lever 98is moved to the position shown at the left in Fig. 1 thus raising the arm 92" and thereby withdrawing thestop 92, and hence releasing the cartridge in the extension 70. ,At the same time the link 94 moves upward in the slot 95, thus permitting the locking plate 93 to become operative under the tension of the spring 96 and locking the next higher cartridge in the magazine extension.

' Upon the next movement of the transferrer slide 74, the lever 98 will be released to move downward under the tension of the spring 100,- such movement lreplacing the stop 92again in locking position and releasing the cartrid e held by the plate 93. The plate 93 exten throug an opening 101 in the side of the extension 70 or 71 and the stop 92 is positioned at the lower end of the extension.

As the cartri Vs are positioned in the Y holders 72 or 7 3 t e lower ends of the cartridges enga e sto -plates 102 so inclined `that a smoot an easy movement of the cartridge to loading position is assured with v a minimum amount of friction upon the cartridge.

In order to revent a too sudden blow h u n the cartri ge by the descending breech b ock I provide means for starting the cartridge into the combustion chamber before actual engagement thereof by the breech Vblock.A Such means is best shown in Fig.` 13

andi comprises an arm 103 pivoted on the cas mg 30 and having a flexible extension .104.

V'hisiarm is normally held in the full line Y positienjn Fig. 13 by a tension spring 105.'

A iiexible rod or wire 106 is pivoted to the arm 103 and extends upward through aguide or bearing 107 to a position in which its curved innerend 106a will be engaged by a lug or Il-ilrojection 108 formed on the top of the she `53.' As/the breech block and shell move. downward the rod 106'and arm 103 are also moved downward and the exible 4spring being is held 1n normal position and one en extension 104 engages the cartridge 43 in the holder 72 or 73 and gives the cartridge an initial downward movement into the combustion chamber 31. As the rod 106 moves downward in its bearing 107 the curved end 106a moves outward until it clears the lug 1,08, thus releasing the arm 103 which is immediately returned to inoperative positionr4 by the spring 105. The conical extension 41 of the breech block 40 thereafter engages the cartridge, forcing it into the combustion chamber and at the same v time s reading apart the two members of the hol er 72 or 7 Eil by engagement with the flaring top thereo A cartridge follower 110 (Figs. 18 and v19) is provided 1n each magazine tube to prevent rebound of the cartridges after downward movement 'in the tube. The follower comprises a hollow block vhaving a wire spring 111 extending outward from eachv side in position to engage any one of a series of holes 112 formed in the side walls 68 of the magazine tubes. The free ends of the springs extend upward and thus have a ratchet action, locking the follower against upward movement but permitting free downward movement thereof. This simple device effectually prevents rebound or upward move` ment'of the cartridges in theJ tubes.

I will now describe the mechanism for releasing and advancing the magazine angularly after a pair'of diametrically opposed ma azine tubes have been emptied.- Coil springs 113 (Fig. 14) partially encircle the outer magazine shell 66, one end of each T attached tothe Acasing 30 and the opposite end to the shell 66 in such a way that the spring tends constantly to advance the magazine in arrow a in Fig. 14. The shell 66 is provided, adjacent the lower end of each tubebr compartment of the magazine, with a spring tongue 114 (Fig. 22) having a lug or projection 115 formed thereon. So long as a 110 cartridge remains in the tube the ton ue 114 d of the lug 115-engagesa hook 116 while the opposite end engages a stand 117, thus preventing movement of the magazine ineither di- 115V z zine compartment engages the stand 117 125Y and hook 116 and is loc ed'thereby.

Where a double magazine is em loyed the additional mechanism shown in lgs. 15, 16 and 23 is' required. The inner magazine is normally held slightly lout'of operative po- 190.1v

the direction of the 1h05 sition by a stop pin 120 (Figs. 16 and 23) on the magazine engaging a latch 121 pivoted to an upward extension of the stand 117'L of the inner magazine. The spring113' for advancing the inner magazine preferably has one end secured to a, further upward extension of the stand 117a as shown in'Fig. 23;

After the outer magazine has been emptied the next advance movement of the now empty magazine will cause a pin 122 (Fig. 15) carried thereby to engage and move the vlatch 121,thus releasing the stop pin 4120 and permitting the inner magazine to advance te operative position where it will be locked by the stand117a and hook 116 as previously described. Furthermore `the hook-shaped end of the latch 121 will permanently engage the stop pin 122 and prevent further movement of the empty outer magazine. At the same time a fiat spring 118 mounted on the outer magazine will be broughtv into engagement with the operatively positioned tongue 114a of the inner magazine and the operation of intermittently advancing ythe inner magazine will thereafter continue as above described. Double magazine extensions 123 (Fig. 16) are necessary when the double magazine is used, the two parts of each extension merging into a single discharge pening above the receiving position ofone of the holders 72 and 73.

As these rockets are commonly used the full supply of cartridges will be exhausted before the rocket reaches its destination, and the shrapnel shell 53 is .therefore provided with an independent timing device causing it to explode after a definite period of flight. Such timing devices for shrapnel and other shells are well-known in the art and form no part of my present invention, and for this reason are not shown in detail herein. It is suilicient for present purposes to state that the timingdevice of the `shell may be ad'usted by. angularly adjusting a pin 130 ig. 1). Inorder to permit such angular adjustment without interferin with the longitudinal movement of the s ell 53 with the breech block 40 I provide a skeleton sleeve 131 rotatably mounted below `the plate 60 previously described as secured to the conical portion of the rocket. The sleeve 131 is provided with a longitudinal slot 131* through which the pin 130 extends, said slot permitting free longitudinal movement 'of the shell 53 but determinin angular position of the pin 130. A justment of the sleeve 131 is accomplished by a rod 132 fixed to the sleeve and oset to extend upward along the axis of the rocket. A cap 133 is fixed to the end of the rod 132, said cap being graduated as shown in Fig. 2 and an index or zero line bein provided upon the casing 30. The sleeve 1 1 and cap the effect upon the explosion of the shrapnel shell 53 it is desirable that a final cartrid e should be simultaneously ex loded Vin t e combustion chamber 31. uch cartridge may be filled with especially destructive high explosive if desired. To prevent premature firing ofthis final cartridge Ihave provided the special devices shown ,in-Fi 24 for causing the breech block 40 to descend gently upon said final cartridge.

hese devices comprise a plunger 135A mounted in a swinging cylinder 136 and normally held upward by a sprin 137. The cylinder 136 may conveniently e pivoted upon tle lower cross bar 33. The plunger 135 is normally held out of the path of the breech block by a latch 138 which enga es the upper odge of the cylinder 136 and ho ds the same in substantially vertical position against the action of a compression s ring 13S). A cord or wire 140 connects the atch 138 to the cm1 oi a fiat spring 141 mounted on the sido oi'a magazine extension 711-*and normallyf held outward by the cartridge therein. When the last cartridge passes into the holder. however, the spring is free to move into the extension, thus pulling u ward the cord or wire 140 and raising't e latch 138'. The cylinder 136 is thus released and swings inward, brin 'ng the plunger 135 intothe path of the esoending breech block 4() and shell 53. The spring 137, and the air resistance within the cylinder 136,

' combine to reduce the velocity of the breech block without actually preventing move- -ment thereof into the force of the gases is exerted t ro h this hole 142 upon the firing in 57 which 1n` turn explodes the final cartri ge in .the combustion chamber. i

As the breech block is sim ly pressed against the chamber 31 when t e first cartridge is fired and there is no compression of the sprin 56, it is desirable that this first cartmdgegbe'of less strength than the sucoeedi charges. l Y Y In xlg. 26 have shown a slight modification in the construction of the combustion chamber and breech block. In this figure lend, and when the shrapnel shell ex fthe seat in the combustion chamber'l is which is provided a cylindrical portion 153 closely fitting the outer end ortion of the combustion chamber. A pac 'ng ring`154 may be provided to insure a gas-tight iit of the breech block within the chamber. The further details of construction-of the breech block are similar to the form previously desclribed, and the operation thereof is-identica The operation ofthe several parts of my improved rocket has Abeen fully set forth in connection with the detailed description thereof, and repetition is considered unnecessary. v

Many important advanta of my present construction will be rea ily apparent to those skilled in the art. Particular importance is attached to the provision herein of means for alternately removing cartrid es from diametrically opposed m azine tu es until the cartridge supply is ex austed. In this way the rocket is never unbalanced by more than the Weight of a single cartridge, which Weight is negligible when compared to the weight of the entire rocket.

Having thus described my invention, it will be evident that many changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims, and I do not Wish to b otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is 1. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber an a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, ay plurality of cartridge containers, and

means to transfer cartridges alternately from diametricallyopposed containers to said combustion chamber.

2. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, a transferring device for each of two diametrically opposed containers, and means to render said transferring devices alternately operative.

3. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber land a breech block, said chamber and'block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, vand means to transfer cartridges alternately *from diametrically opposed containers to said combustion chamber, said means compris-ing transversely movable cartridge holders each formed in parts separable by the breech block as it returns to normal engagement with said chamber.

4. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, a

' transferring device for each of two diametrically opposed containers, and means to render said transferring devices alternately operative, said transferrin devices being mounted on a slide capab e of transverse movement in said rocket, and said means including mechanism for giving said slide a transverse .movement after each cartridge is discharged.

5. Ay magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said 4chamber and block being relatively movable,

a plurality of cartridge containers, a transferring device for each of two diametrically opposed containers, and means to render said transferring devices alternately operative, said transferrin devices being mounted on a slide capab e of transverse movement in said rocket, and said means including an actuating member operative to move said transferring devices on each u Ward movement of the breech block,1 and evices to move said member to an alternate operative position on each return'movement of said breech block.

6. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, means to transfer cartridges from said containers to a osition in line with said combustion cham er, and means to give each of said cartridges an initial movement into said chamber before the return of said breech block..

7. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion `chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge magazine tubes, each adapted to contain a supply of cartridges, a transferring device for each of two diametrically opposed tubes, and means to alternately release a cartridge in each one of said tubes when the corresponding transferring device is in position lto receive said cartridge. d

8. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality ofcar'tridge magazine tubes,each adapted to contain va suppl of cartridges, a transferring device for eacliY of two diametrically opposed tubes, means to release a cartridge in one of saidl tubes'when the corresponding transferring device is in operative position, and means to simultaneously lock the cartridge next above said released cartridge. y

9. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge magazine tubes, each adapted to contain a supply of cartridges, diametrically opposed magazine extensions, a transferring device for each extension, means to release a cartridge in one of said extensions when the corresponding transferring device is in operative position, and

means to simultaneously lock the cartridge next above said released cartridge, said releasing and locking means comprising a separate holding stop for each extension, and devices for rendering one of said stops operative and the other stop inoperative` alternately.

10. Amagazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber, yielding holding devices for said chamber permitting limited axiall movement thereof, a breech block, holding devices for said breech block permitting greater axial movement thereof, thereby separating said block and chamber, and means to insert a fresh cartridge'n said chamber while said chamber and block are separated. u Y

11. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber, a movable breech block,

and means permitting slight axial movement of said chamber with said block when the charge is exploded. I

12. In a magazine rocket, in comb1nat1on, a combustion chamber and a movable breech block, said chamber having a tapered seat therein and said breech block having a conical end portion fitting said tapered seat, said end portion being also recessed to recelve and position the adjacent end of a cartridge contained in said combustion chamber.

13. In a magazine rocket, in combination, a combustion chamber, and a movable breech block, said breech block having a conical extension seating in said chamber and having also an annular gas deiector surrounding said conical extension.

14. A magazine rocket having, in combination, a combustion chamber, a relatively movable breech block, isaid breech block comprising a portion normally engaging the combustion chamber, and a second portion of greater size by which said first portion is yieldingly supported, and a spring yieldingly resisting axial movement of 'said second portion.

15. In a rocket, a combustion chamber, a breech block, said chamber and block beingrelatively movable, a cartridge, and means to feed said cartridge to said combustion chamber, said cartridge being of less diameter than said chamber, whereby a clear annular space separates said cartridge and chamber When the cartridge is in position for firing.

16. In a rocket, a combustion chamber and a cartridge therefor, said cartridge and chamber being of such diameters that a substantially unobstructed space is interposed between the cylindrical Walls of the cartridge and chamber.

17. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber, afbreech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, means to feed cartridges from said containers to said chamber, and means in each container to prevent upward movement of the cartridge therein.

18. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber, a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers embodied in a rotary magazine, means to lock said magazine until two diametrically opposed containers are emptied, and means to thereupon advance said magazine to place fresh containers in feeding ositon.

19. A magazine roc et comprising a combustion chamber, a rotary cartridge magazine, means to feed cartridges successively from said magazine to said chamber, a second magazine concentric with said first magazine, and means to render said second magazineoperative upon exhaustion of the first magazine.

20. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber, a rotary cartridge magazine, means to feed cartridges successively from said magazine to said chamber, a second magazine concentric with said first magazine, and means to advance said second magazine to operative position, said means being held inoperative by said first magazine until the cartridges in the latter are exhausted. 2. AV magazine rocket having, in combination, a combustion chamber and a relatively movable breech block, said breech block comprising a portion charged with explosive material.

22. A magazine rocket having, in combination, a combustion chamber, a relatively movable breech block, said breech block comprising a portion charged with explosive material, and means to fire said material at a definite time after the ignition of the rocket.

23. A magazine rocket having, in oombination, a combustion chamber, a 'relatively movable breech block, said breech block comprising a portion charged with explosive material, means to fire said material at a definite time after the ignition of the rocket, and manual means for adjusting said firmg means., said manual means preserving, said adjustment while permitting the explosion of saidI prising an explosive shell and also a firing pin operated by inertia for exploding sai VVcartridges successively in said combustion chamber, means to prevent the operation of said ring pin on the last cartrid e upon exhaustion of said ma azine, and a ditional means torender said rin pin a ain operative upon the explosion 0% said s ell.

27. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber-and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a (plurality of cartridge magazine tubes, each a apted to contain a supply of cartridges, diametrically opposed magazine extensions, a transferring Idevice for each extension, means to release a cartridge in one of said extensions when the corresponding transferring device isfinfoperative osition, and means to simultaneousl lockt e cartridge next above said release cartridge, said releasing and locking means for each extension comprising a sto for the lower cartridge therein, a lock or the cartridge next above, and means for simultaneously rendering said stop and lock operative and inoperative alternately.

28; In a magazine rocket, in combination, a combustionl chamber havinga conical seat and a cylindrical end portion, and a relatively movabie breech block having a conical end. portion and also a cylindrical portion closely fitting the outer cylindrical end portion of said chamber.

29. In a magazine rocket, in combination, a combustion chamber, and a relatively mov; able breech block having a conical end portion, a cylindrical portion closely fitting the outer end portion'of said chamber, and a packing ring in said cylindrical portion effective to plrevent upward escape of gas from said c amber.

30. A magazine rocket comprising a combustion chamber and a breech block, said chamber and block being relatively movable, a plurality of cartridge containers, and means to transfer said containers successively to said combustion chamber without substantially disturbing the relative distri-` bution of weight in said rocket.

31. A magazine rocket comprising a com-A bustion Chamberland a breech block, said chamber and block bein relatively movable, a plurality of cartri ge containers, and means to transfer said containers successively to said combustion chamber, and While maintainin said rocket in substantial balanced condition relative tothe longitudinal axis thereof. I In testimony whereof I have hereunto afixed my signature.

ROBERT H. GODDARD. 

